The NBA not only is relying on its constitution and by-laws to force Los Angeles Clipper owner Donald Sterling to sell the team, but also plans to rely on moral and ethical contracts with the league Sterling has signed over the years, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the highly sensitive situation.

Language in those contracts prevent Sterling from expressing views or taking actions that are detrimental to the league, the person said.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life, issued him a $2.5 million fine and said he will force Sterling to sell the team after Sterling made racially insensitive comments on an audio recording of private conversation made public.

The league is moving cautiously in its attempt to remove Sterling. The NBA's finance-advisory committee, which made up of owners and taking the lead in the case against Sterling, met via teleconference on Wednesday.

"The Committee reviewed the status of the search for a new CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers, was updated on meetings held this week between NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and Clippers employees, and addressed the process and timing regarding the termination of Mr. Sterling's ownership of the team," NBA executive vice president of communications Mike Bass said in a statement.

Saturday, the league said it is searching for a new Clippers CEO and Tuesday, the league announced Clippers president Andy Roeser will take an indefinite leave of absence.

While no article in the NBA's constitution addresses the Sterling incident specifically, Article 13(d) is a catch-all violation.

That article states an owner's may be terminated if the person fails or refuses "to fulfill its contractual obligations to the Association, its Members, Players, or any other third party in such a way as to affect the Association or its Members adversely."

There is also a procedure the league must follow. The league must formally charge Sterling with violating the NBA's constitution and once Sterling receives the charges in writing, he has five days to respond. After Sterling responds, the Board of Governors will hold a special meeting within 10 days of that response and vote to terminate Sterling's ownership. It requires three-fourths of the vote to terminate Sterling's ownership and force him to sell.

Sterling, who is not afraid of litigation, could also try and stop the process by going to court.

GALLERY: Donald Sterling through the years

Longtime Clippers owner Donald Sterling, shown in 2010, has been banned by the NBA. Flip through this gallery for more of Sterling. Mark J. Terrill, AP